By Larry Watts
Special to Wildcat Report
Harsh criticism from head coach Pat Fitzgerald and a tough week of practice paid big dividends in Saturday’s 41-0 thrashing of Eastern Illinois. The Wildcats responded by holding an opponent without a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since 1958, their largest shutout since beating Illinois 48-0 in 1970 and their first shutout since defeating Northeastern in 2007.
“All three phases of our team were efficient,’’ said Fitzgerald in his postgame meeting with the media. “I think everyone played who was eligible.’’
Fitzgerald then touched on a number of topics:
Third down efficiency on defense
“Right now we have been pretty efficient. Executing the call and getting a pass rush have been very effective. Third-and-long always gives you a big advantage.’’ The Panthers were 0-for-11 in third down conversions.
The ground game was very effective (344 yards).
“We knew coming in we had several injuries on our offensive line, so we worked a lot with the other guys this week. To run the ball like we did and not turn it over until the end, we had a pretty clean game. We feel very confident we have three Big Ten running backs (Justin Jackson, Warren Long and Solomon Vault). We felt we could give Justin a rest today because they (Eastern) were really trying to load the box and we wanted to be smart with his health. I’m not surprised by what our backs have done because I see them every day in practice. I like where we’re at and today was a good day to get Auston Anderson some experience.’’
Quarterback Clayton Thorson’s second game
“There are still a lot of things we can improve on, but I liked today was he didn’t try to force anything.’’
How do you rate your team speed?
“If it’s not the fastest since I’ve been here, it’s pretty darn close.’’
Are you reaching your potential?
“Potential is potential, what I’m interested in is production. You have to roll your sleeves up and get one percent better every day, that’s the Chicago way. I challenged them this week with the standard I want them to live up to every day. When you do that you’re going to improve.’’
Did your team, especially the offensive line, pass the test this week?
“The biggest test was Tuesday’s practice.. They showed up ready to go and we worked them pretty hard. We (the coaches) felt pretty good in their response.’’
Senior tackle Geoff Mogus on Tuesday’s practice:
“We took the criticism and Tuesday was our hardest practice of the year. We knew we had to respond. I thought we had great focus all week.’’
Mogus on the injuries to several offensive linemen
“It’s been a challenge up front. We’re a pretty tight group. It really hasn’t been a big issue because the guys behind us have been getting a lot of work. Fitz called us out and we know we have to be more physical and push the tempo harder, so we just wanted to cut it loose today.’’
Junior Austin Carr on scoring his first touchdown and receiving a scholarship this week:
“Ever since you’re a little guy you dream of scoring that first touchdown. It happens so fast. All I remember is crossing the goal line and wanting to embrace my teammates. It (receiving the scholarship) has been a big week for me, the support I have received from my teammates and family has been unbelievable. It really picked up my spirits.’’
Quarterback Clayton Thorson on 344 yards rushing:
“Handing the ball off and getting 344 yards is great. We always want to establish the run game because it opens up the passing game. The guys up front did a very good job. We were able to spread out the receivers and take what the defense gave us. If you try to do too much, you will get beat.’’
Cornerback Matthew Harris on his interception return for a touchdown:
“Good blocking by my teammates. If (defensive end) Deonte Gibson had not made the play on the quarterback, I would never have been in position.’’
Defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo on the improved play of the defense in 2015:
“Right after that loss to Illinois at the end of last year, our defensive line got together and stressed getting stronger and more physical. And it sure makes a difference when you have guys in the secondary like (Matthew Harris) locking up the receivers.’’
Special to Wildcat Report
Harsh criticism from head coach Pat Fitzgerald and a tough week of practice paid big dividends in Saturday’s 41-0 thrashing of Eastern Illinois. The Wildcats responded by holding an opponent without a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since 1958, their largest shutout since beating Illinois 48-0 in 1970 and their first shutout since defeating Northeastern in 2007.
“All three phases of our team were efficient,’’ said Fitzgerald in his postgame meeting with the media. “I think everyone played who was eligible.’’
Fitzgerald then touched on a number of topics:
Third down efficiency on defense
“Right now we have been pretty efficient. Executing the call and getting a pass rush have been very effective. Third-and-long always gives you a big advantage.’’ The Panthers were 0-for-11 in third down conversions.
The ground game was very effective (344 yards).
“We knew coming in we had several injuries on our offensive line, so we worked a lot with the other guys this week. To run the ball like we did and not turn it over until the end, we had a pretty clean game. We feel very confident we have three Big Ten running backs (Justin Jackson, Warren Long and Solomon Vault). We felt we could give Justin a rest today because they (Eastern) were really trying to load the box and we wanted to be smart with his health. I’m not surprised by what our backs have done because I see them every day in practice. I like where we’re at and today was a good day to get Auston Anderson some experience.’’
Quarterback Clayton Thorson’s second game
“There are still a lot of things we can improve on, but I liked today was he didn’t try to force anything.’’
How do you rate your team speed?
“If it’s not the fastest since I’ve been here, it’s pretty darn close.’’
Are you reaching your potential?
“Potential is potential, what I’m interested in is production. You have to roll your sleeves up and get one percent better every day, that’s the Chicago way. I challenged them this week with the standard I want them to live up to every day. When you do that you’re going to improve.’’
Did your team, especially the offensive line, pass the test this week?
“The biggest test was Tuesday’s practice.. They showed up ready to go and we worked them pretty hard. We (the coaches) felt pretty good in their response.’’
Senior tackle Geoff Mogus on Tuesday’s practice:
“We took the criticism and Tuesday was our hardest practice of the year. We knew we had to respond. I thought we had great focus all week.’’
Mogus on the injuries to several offensive linemen
“It’s been a challenge up front. We’re a pretty tight group. It really hasn’t been a big issue because the guys behind us have been getting a lot of work. Fitz called us out and we know we have to be more physical and push the tempo harder, so we just wanted to cut it loose today.’’
Junior Austin Carr on scoring his first touchdown and receiving a scholarship this week:
“Ever since you’re a little guy you dream of scoring that first touchdown. It happens so fast. All I remember is crossing the goal line and wanting to embrace my teammates. It (receiving the scholarship) has been a big week for me, the support I have received from my teammates and family has been unbelievable. It really picked up my spirits.’’
Quarterback Clayton Thorson on 344 yards rushing:
“Handing the ball off and getting 344 yards is great. We always want to establish the run game because it opens up the passing game. The guys up front did a very good job. We were able to spread out the receivers and take what the defense gave us. If you try to do too much, you will get beat.’’
Cornerback Matthew Harris on his interception return for a touchdown:
“Good blocking by my teammates. If (defensive end) Deonte Gibson had not made the play on the quarterback, I would never have been in position.’’
Defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo on the improved play of the defense in 2015:
“Right after that loss to Illinois at the end of last year, our defensive line got together and stressed getting stronger and more physical. And it sure makes a difference when you have guys in the secondary like (Matthew Harris) locking up the receivers.’’
